Drug usage pattern and potential teratogenesity risk among pregnant women attending maternal and child health clinic of Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, South Western, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study, 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Physiological alterations during pregnancy as well as the bio- conversion of compounds can significantly influence the teratogenic effects of drugs and chemicals by affecting absorption, body distribution, the active form(s), and excretion of the compound. Certain medications may cause harm to the foetus due to their potential teratogenic effects and the physiological adjustments occurring in the mother during pregnancy. Prescription of drug used by pregnant women should be viewed as one of a public health issue. This study aware health care workers on harmful drugs prescription to pregnant women and helps in understanding the type of medication used during pregnancy and safety of drugs used during pregnancy, thereupon this study was ascertain drug usage pattern and potential teratogenicity risk among pregnant women attending maternal and child health clinic of Mettu Karl Referral Hospital. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was carried out from April 13/2021 to June 15/2021. Data was collected through employing semi-structured questioner, and then the collected data was cleared, coded and analyzed by statistical packages for social sciences 25.0 version statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. P value <0.05 was considered as a cut point for statistical significance in the final model. Results: A total of 156 participants were interviewed of whom, 81(51.9%) pregnant women were age between 20-35 years old and a majority 113(72.4%) of them were married. Among medical condition majority 40(25.6%) of the participants had peptic ulcer disease and 26(16.7%) urinary tract infections followed by 20(12.8%) acute illness and 12(7.7%) hyperemesis. Among the total drug prescribed for pregnant women 30(19.2%) FDA category C was the common followed by 29 (186%) FDA category B and 26(16.7%) FDA category D. Only 10(6.4%) of prescribed drug were FDA category X. Pregnant women whose age >35 years (AOR=4.05, 95%CI:1.274-1.903; p=0.001), urban residents (AOR=2.72, 95%CI:2.524-3.927; p=0.035), and pregnant women during second trimester (AOR=1.79, 95%CI:3.926-9.406; p=0.013) were significantly associated with MCH follow up. Conclusion and recommendation: From the drug prescribed, majority of pregnant women were taken antibiotics followed by 18(11.5%) NSAID, iron sulfate, and proton pump inhibitors. Among the dosage form, above half of the participants were taken the tablet dosage form followed by capsule and gels dosage form. Health care workers should have to brought good care for pregnant women, since they perhaps vulnerable to drug teratogenesity

Risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on fetus

“…Heavy alcohol usage is joined to cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and high blood pressure disorders that can be caused by consumption of heavy alcohol by pregnant women is called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. 1 Pregnant women perhaps results in abortion, fetal mortality and prematurity if consuming alcoholic beverages excessively. FASD is occurred if pregnant women consumed alcohol during pregnancy perhaps hurt embryos and fetuses.…”

Ubiquitous Usage of Over the Counter Medications in Pregnancy: Perspectives of Maternal Apprehensiveness

“…Medication usage during pregnancy has consistently created a challenge in antenatal care owing to the potential foetal peril consociated with the use. Drug utilization studies display that consummate women use medications during pregnancy with estimations varying from 44% to 99% [1]. The WHO delineates self-medication as the utilisation of medications by individuals in search of treating symptoms or self-diagnosed health state [2].…”